Monthly Archives: June 2009

An awful lot of work has been done this year on trying to set a direction for accelerated learning within our school board. So many different ideas and so many different ways this can be done – and so many different costs to do so.

The common ground that I see is this: We all agree that the term “special needs” applies not only to those having difficulty learning, but to those who are finding their education too easy as well.

So what do we do about it?

Most, if not all of our schools have “accelerated learning” programs in them. I know RHS has its “academic plus” program. The problem is that even these courses are not really enough. And simply from a competitive standpoint, we don’t have anything to compete with the Royal West and Vincent Massey type of school. But, are we even allowed to develop something of the same sort? There seems to be a big question mark there.

I think that we need to build a new school. I think it needs to be in the north shore, for central access to the bulk of our clientele. And I think that it could be hugely successful, and it could be a model for more schools to be built.

At the same time, I think we really need to re-evaluate what our current offerings are, and what the criteria is for getting into these programs. I think we also need to talk to MELS about additional accreditation for these programs, as well as proper exams for them.

Is it ever neat to go to an elementary school graduation ceremony. Awards are given out and the pride in the children’s and parents faces is always fun to see.

I even got to hand out a prize – the SWLSB’s foundation scholarship. The recipient looked fairly stunned – and then he was awarded another prize too. A lot of really good work is done at this school, and listening to the two valedictorians speak in English and French suggest that the talent runs deep in this school.

All of the teachers attended and the pride there was quite evident too.

Disclaimer: My two boys go to Rosemere High School – so my own personal interests tend to sway toward making sure RHS is well taken care of.

It’s been an interesting time looking at the layout and space at RHS, some of it used by ESD and some by Material Resources. The actual capacity of the school is still not “full” – but, if the school itself could use more of the physical space that is there, we would have a better school for our students. With increases in arts and gym times, we need the space. And we have the space – kinda.

It would cost some money and we would need to move some Board services somewhere, but, if we’re really interested in doing our very best, we should find a way.

As usual though, M. Paquette did an extremely thorough job and we’re not all that much further ahead. That’s not to complain about M. Paquette – if anything, this is one of the best run departments in any school board. But I’d really like to find a way to get our music department what it needs and what our arts and phys ed departments really need.